Simultaneous Entry Research Articles

Simultaneous entry as an adaptation to virulence in a novel satellite-helper system infecting Streptomyces species

Satellites are mobile genetic elements that are dependent upon the replication machinery of their helper viruses. Bacteriophages have provided many examples of satellite nucleic acids that utilize their helper morphogenic genes for propagation. Here we describe two novel satellite-helper phage systems, Mulch and Flayer, that infect Streptomyces species. The satellites in these systems encode for encapsidation machinery but have an absence of key replication genes, thus providing the first example of bacteriophage satellite viruses. We also show that codon usage of the satellites matches the tRNA gene content of the helpers. The satellite in one of these systems, Flayer, does not appear to integrate into the host genome, which represents the first example of a virulent satellite phage. The Flayer satellite has a unique tail adaptation that allows it to attach to its helper for simultaneous co-infection. These findings demonstrate an ever-increasing array of satellite strategies for genetic dependence on their helpers in the evolutionary arms race between satellite and helper phages.

Феминитивы в узусе новых медиа

The aim of the study is to determine the features of formation and use of feminitives denoting a profession or position in new media. The paper compares the feminitives often used in new media and the means of their formation with the units of the official naming of positions and professions of women in the legal field recorded in a classifier. The scientific novelty of the work consists in clarifying the boundaries of the implementation of the formality category in the new conditions of communication using the example of the lexico-semantic group of feminitives. As a result, it has been found that there are practically no intersections between the set of units from the list of officially recommended feminitives – the language facts used to denote positions and titles – with the set of the most frequent units used in new media. Even in the few cases of a simultaneous entry of units into the list of official names of positions and professions, on the one hand, and into the list of frequently occurring nominations in the usage of new media, on the other hand, such lexemes, as a rule, coincide only in form – their meanings often diverge. Various ways of formation of feminitives in the official classifier and the usage of new media are also noted.

Dynamics of growth and accumulation of heavy metals of Pisum Sativum L. grown on polluted soil (vegetative experience)

The paper presents the results of studies of the effect of heavy metal salts (15 mg/kg CdCl2 and/or 50 mg/kg CoCl2) contamination of soddy-podzolic soil on the adaptive potential and phytoremediation activity of two pea genotypes contrasting in resistance: the cadmium-resistant mutant SGECDt and its wild line SGE. The experiment was carried out under laboratory conditions while maintaining a stable internal microclimate and an optimal degree of insolation in the room. The duration of the experiment was 85 days. A study of the dynamics of morphometric parameters, using the example of shoot and root biomass, showed that the SGECDt mutant demonstrated better resistance to toxicants: on average, the decrease in shoot biomass compared to control was 28.2%, and 5.5% for roots. Whereas on wild lines, the rates were 31.8% on shoots and 21.8% on roots, respectively. As expected, the tolerance of the mutant was best manifested in the variant with the introduction of cadmium ions. Thanks to mass spectrometric analysis, it was found that the content of cadmium in dry biomass of shoots increased with an increase in biomass in both genotypes. Moreover, in the mutant, it significantly exceeded the concentration of pollutant accumulation in the wild type, and practically did not change, starting from 30 days with separate or combined introduction of metals, and until the end of the growing season - 20-25 µg of dry biomass per gram of shoot. The content of cobalt, on the contrary, decreased in ontogenesis phases, with a slight superiority in metal fixation by the mutant, starting from 45 days after inoculation. With the simultaneous entry of both metals into the soil solution, synergism of action was not observed. The content of cobalt decreased even more in plants, while cadmium, on the contrary, increased. It can be concluded that the ion-exchange reactions between these pollutants differed in interactions in the "soil-plant" system by the type of antagonism. Among the optimal period for harvesting contaminated products for its further processing (phytomining), one can single out the budding phase - the beginning of flowering (45 days). During this period, the mutant plants simultaneously perform well detoxification (phytosanation) and active accumulation of atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.

Neuroticism, urbanization, and the state prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in the USA

This study was conducted primarily to determine whether state prevalence rates of Parkinson’s disease (PD) among Medicare beneficiaries 65 and over are associated with U.S. state resident standing on the Big Five personality dimensions. Key variables for the 50 states were PD prevalence rates in 2014, Big Five scores based on 619,397 survey respondents, socioeconomic status (SES), White population percent, urban population percent, health environment, and overall health outcomes. A sequential multiple regression equation with the SES, White, and urbanization variables selected stepwise and followed by the Big Five selected stepwise showed state PD prevalence rate variance was significantly accounted for by urbanization (16.9 %, β = 0.53) and neuroticism (32.8 %, β = 0.59). This prediction pattern persisted in another equation when state health environment and health outcomes served as additional controls, with neuroticism accounting for an additional 17.4 % of the variance. The only independent predictors in that equation also were urbanization (β = 0.57) and neuroticism (β = 0.48). Essentially similar results were found using simultaneous entry equations. Spatial analysis using Moran’s I test for residual spatial autocorrelation also showed that spatial autocorrelation was not an issue. The present results based on the geographical psychology perspective underline the importance of corroborating correlative patterns found in personality studies with individuals as the analytic units with research using aggregates of individuals as the units of analysis. It also is speculated that health policy and promotion managers eventually might profit from tailoring PD initiatives according to resident neuroticism levels and degree of urbanization.

Mountain Roads’ Geometric Design: Methodological Proposal for Hairpin Bend Design/Retrofitting

Mountainous roads often have to overcome considerable differences in height, which is why hairpin bends find a valid and common use. Despite this, there is a lack of specific international standards. Given the absence of a national standard governing the mountain roads’ design, in Italy, as in many other countries, the Swiss standard SNV 640198a is generally applied. This standard does not guarantee the correct geometric design of hairpin bends for Italian vehicle fleets and fleets according to the Directive 2002/7/EC. In this paper, the authors have developed a new methodology based on the Swiss standard upgrade, which is applicable internationally. Starting from hairpin bends’ geometric layouts provided by SNV 640198a and from related considerations, respectively, to the gyration formulae use and to swept path analysis’ simulations, they developed new planimetric layouts compatible with the vehicle fleet and with the cross-sectional dimensions of Italian roads. In this way, a generally valid methodology applicable to any international context was defined. In particular, the study allowed the definition of new geometric layouts to be used in hairpin bend design/retrofitting when it is necessary to guarantee the simultaneous entry into the bend of a 12 m long bus, and a car travelling in the opposite direction. Finally, the proposed methodology was applied to a mountain road case study in the Lucanian Dolomites area; an area of great tourist, cultural and environmental interest in southern Italy.

International Trade Dynamics with Sunk Costs and Productivity Shocks

This paper offers a unified framework to analyze both short- and long-run trade dynamics in a consistent manner. It explains “the international elasticity puzzle”, a low trade elasticity against temporary shocks and a high trade elasticity against permanent shocks, studied in Ruhl (2008). The model in this paper extends the idea of export sunk costs and uncertainty to more general productivity shock processes by embedding the classical theory of “export hysteresis” into a continuous-time trade model with heterogeneous firms, and considers the effects of both aggregate and idiosyncratic productivity shocks. A sharp analytical characterization of the equilibrium elucidates the microfoundations of trade dynamics linking a static trade model with heterogeneous firms and an international macroeconomic model. Due to the sunk costs and uncertainty, firms do not change their export status against small temporary shocks. Aggregate productivity shocks and export sunk costs explain the elasticity puzzle because of the different adjustments on the extensive margin. If the productivity shocks are idiosyncratic, the economy is in a steady state, with individual firms moving around within a stationary distribution of productivities. Export hysteresis gives rise to a region of firm productivity where both exporters and non-exporters coexist given the same current productivity. The full model incorporates both types of shocks and offers realistic microfoundations of trade dynamics including simultaneous export entry and exit, an evolving productivity density of exporters, and the sluggish trade response to aggregate shocks.

The Influence of the Oval, Lane and Simultaneous Entry on the Performance and Pacing Strategy of Speed Skating Men's 1500 m

The Influence of the Oval, Lane and Simultaneous Entry on the Performance and Pacing Strategy of Speed Skating Men's 1500 m

Market Structure and Competition in Airline Markets

We provide an econometric framework for estimating a game of simultaneous entry and pricing decisions while allowing for correlations between unobserved cost and demand shocks. We use our framework to account for selection in the pricing stage. We estimate the model using data from the US airline industry and find that not accounting for endogenous entry leads to biased estimation of demand elasticities. We simulate a merger between American and US Airways and find that product repositioning and postmerger outcomes depend on how we model the characteristics of the merged firm as a function of the premerger firms’ characteristics.

Effect of Storage Humidity on Physical Stability of Spray-Dried Naproxen Amorphous Solid Dispersions with Polyvinylpyrrolidone: Two Fluid Nozzle vs. Three Fluid Nozzle.

In a spray drying operation, a two-fluid nozzle (2FN) with a single channel is commonly used for atomizing the feed solution. However, the less commonly used three-fluid nozzle (3FN) has two separate channels, which allow spray drying of materials in two incompatible solution systems. Although amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) prepared using a 3FN have been reported to deliver comparable drug dissolution performance relative to those prepared using a 2FN, few studies have systematically examined the effect of 3FN on the physical stability. Therefore, the goal of this work is to systematically study the physical stability of ASDs that are spray-dried using a 3FN compared to those prepared using the traditional 2FN. For the 2FN, a single solution of naproxen and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was prepared in a mixture of acetone and water at a 1:1 volume ratio because 2FN allows for only one solution inlet. For the 3FN, naproxen and PVP were dissolved individually in acetone and water, respectively, because 3FN allows simultaneous entry of two solutions. Upon storage of the formulated ASDs at different humidity levels (25%, 55% and 75% RH), naproxen crystallized more quickly from the 3FN ASDs as compared with the 2FN ASDs. 3FN ASDs crystallized after 5 days of storage at all conditions, whereas 2FN ASDs did not crystallize even at 55% RH for two months. This relatively higher crystallization tendency of 3FN ASDs was attributed to the inhomogeneity of drug and polymers as identified by the solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance findings, specifically due to poor mixing of water- and acetone-based solutions at the 3FN nozzle. When only acetone was used as a solvent to prepare drug-polymer solutions for 3FN, the formulated ASD was found to be stable for >3 months of storage (at 75% RH), which suggests that instability of the 3FN ASD was due to the insufficient mixing of water and acetone solutions. This study provides insights into the effects of solvent and nozzle choices on the physical stability of spray-dried ASDs.

Exploratory model of parental stress during children’s hospitalisation in a paediatric intensive care unit

ObjectivesThis exploratory study (a) examined pre-existing and peri-trauma risk factors of parental stress during a child's PICU hospitalisation using the Integrative Trajectory Model of Paediatric Medical Traumatic Stress and (b) identified the type of PICU-related stressors that predicted parental stress during the child's PICU hospitalisation. MethodsA cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design with 81 parents of children admitted 48 or more hours to a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Questionnaires measured parent’s and child’s demographic and clinical characteristics and parent-reported stressors using the Parental Stressors Scale (PSS:PICU). Analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analyses with simultaneous predictor entry. ResultsMale parents tended to be significantly more stressed than female parents. Parental stress was significantly increased when parents had one or more stressful life events one-month prior to PICU admission, when the child required ventilatory support, or the child had a cardiovascular diagnosis. Parental stress was also predicted by the child’s appearance, procedures, child’s behaviour, behaviour of staff, and parental role. ConclusionNurses are in a prime position to identify parents at potentially high risk for psychological morbidity when they know a parent has had a stressful life event prior to admission, has a child with a cardiovascular diagnosis or requires ventilatory assistance. Nurses can diminish parental stress by interpreting the child’s appearance for parents, helping parents understand the procedures being done for the child, interpreting the child’s behaviour, explaining the staff's behaviour, and assisting parents to define their parental role during the child's hospitalisation.

Patient Flows, Patient Distribution Computations and Medicines Accounting in the Pharmacoeconomic Models Through Procurement Perspective.

PurposeStimulating cost reduction of pharmaceutical companies to optimize the structure of distribution of patients by the level of treatment costs in various programs.Patients and MethodsIn this article, we rise up the issues of pharmacoeconomic modeling related to the description of the patient flows in the pharmacoeconomic model and methods to determining the course dose of drugs under the restriction of integer computations. We established two possible ways of distributing patients through treatment regimens in pharmacoeconomic models, also analyzed the effects of simultaneous and uniform entry of patients into the model. Also, we considered the limitations and possibilities of calculations based on the active substance and packaging, as well as the transition factor of the remainder of the drug in the next time period.ResultsA mathematical model of the analysis of the system assessment of patients by the level of risk of abandoning a healthy lifestyle in connection with the growing problems of the difficult-to-control process is developed. The use of a rational data convolution mode allowed us to obtain a criterion for the optimality of the process and a logical point of stability of the pharmaceutical company by rationally applying treatment methods according to established standards (percentage base). This approach makes it possible to influence the management of private clinics through clear ideas on the algorithms for prescribing drugs in each group of patients and their zoning in the vector recovery mode.ConclusionInitial data and sample size: 552 measurements of the intervals of changes in the subject’s indicators in seconds (smoothing and scaling the data to the level of the base (analytical) period or the final (barrier) period). Regular use of this approach makes it possible to reserve the resources of the body of a healthy and physically active person in a timely manner for a very reliable functioning of all body systems, taking into account the dosed intake of prescribed drugs and the conditions of comfortable (decent) maintenance of patients during the course of treatment according to the method chosen by the doctor.

Evaluation of PIQNIQ, a Novel Mobile Application for Capturing Dietary Intake

BackgroundAccurate measurement of dietary intake is vital for providing nutrition interventions and understanding the complex role of diet in health. Traditional dietary assessment methods are very resource intensive and burdensome to participants. Technology may help mitigate these limitations and improve dietary data capture. ObjectiveOur objective was to evaluate the accuracy of a novel mobile application (PIQNIQ) in capturing dietary intake by self-report. Our secondary objective was to assess whether food capture using PIQNIQ was comparable with an interviewer-assisted 24-h recall (24HR). MethodsThis study was a single-center randomized clinical trial enrolling 132 adults aged 18 to 65 y from the general population. Under a provided-food protocol with 3 menus designed to include a variety of foods, participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 food capture methods: simultaneous entry using PIQNIQ, photo-assisted recall using PIQNIQ, and 24HR. Primary outcomes were energy and nutrient content (calories, total fat, carbohydrates, protein, added sugars, calcium, dietary fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, saturated fat, sodium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E) captured by the 3 methods. ResultsThe majority of nutrients reported were within 30% of consumed intake in all 3 food capture methods (n = 129 completers). Reported intake was highly (>30%) overestimated for added sugars in both PIQNIQ groups and underestimated for calcium in the photo-assisted recall group only (P < 0.001 for all). However, in general, both PIQNIQ methods had similar levels of accuracy and were comparable to the 24HR except in their overestimation (>30%) of added sugars and total fat (P < 0.001 for both). ConclusionsOur results suggest that intuitive, technology-based methods of dietary data capture are well suited to modern users and, with proper execution, can provide data that are comparable to data obtained with traditional methods. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03578458.

The matching and sorting of exporting and importing firms: Theory and evidence

This paper develops a general equilibrium model of international trade with heterogeneous exporters and heterogeneous importers. This theory is guided by new findings drawn from a matched exporter-importer dataset that characterizes the relationships between exporting and importing firms. I find that most exporters have a single importing partner, that highly productive exporters tend to trade with highly productive importers, and that the value traded is positively correlated with both exporter and importer productivities. The model analyzes the selection of exporters and importers into trading pairs and features simultaneous free entry into exporting and into importing. This theory provides a rationale for the fixed costs of entering export markets, associating them with the costs of searching for importing firms that distribute a product to final consumers abroad. I test this theory by studying the response of exporting and importing firms to the recent Colombia-U.S. free trade agreement. This evidence illustrates a novel mechanism of adjustment of U.S. firms to trade liberalization.

Вплив платформізації на трансформацію соціально-економічних зв’язків: конкурентна складова

The rapid distribution of the platform model of business in the decisive extent is the result of the use of competitive advantages that receive information (digital) platforms (IP) due to resistance in its activities on information and communication technologies. Research of sources of their occurrence acquires special relevance. Methodological database includes tools of dialectical, historical and genetic, structural, complementary qualitative analysis. New areas of competitive relations are determined as a result of the spread of IP. These include competition between traditional hierarchical and horizontal network structures, molded IP; competition between global platforms - system integrators that create software tools form the information base and virtual space for the interaction of other IPs; competition between IP operating in one market; competition between the organizers and clients of the IP for the best conditions for redistribution of added value; competition between IP customers. The changes that occur in cross-sectoral, international and regional competition are revealed. Innovative instruments for obtaining the IP competitive advantages are presented. Among them: the use of the benefits of the virtual nature of the leading factor of production (data), on the basis of which IP functions; changing the structure of the cost of entering the market; formation of multilateral markets; use of network effects; taking into account the effects of multichoming, associated with the possibility of simultaneous entry into the ecosystem of several IPs; use of multiproduct and cross-sector effects.

A Finite Element-Based Coarse-Grained Model for Cell–Nanomaterial Interactions by Combining Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formula and Brownian Dynamics

Abstract A fundamental understanding of the interactions between one-dimensional nanomaterials and the cell membrane is of great importance for assessing the hazardous effects of viruses and improving the performance of drug delivery. Here, we propose a finite element-based coarse-grained model to describe the cell entry of nanomaterials based on an absolute nodal coordinate formula and Brownian dynamics. The interactions between nanoparticles and lipid membrane are described by the Lennard–Jones potential, and a contact detection algorithm is used to determine the contact region. Compared with the theoretical and published experimental results, the correctness of the model has been verified. We take two examples to test the robustness of the model: the endocytosis of nanorods grafted with polymer chains and simultaneous entry of multiple nanorods into a lipid membrane. It shows that the model can not only capture the effect of ligand–receptor binding on the penetration but also accurately characterize the cooperative or separate entry of multiple nanorods. This coarse-grained model is computationally highly efficient and will be powerful in combination with molecular dynamics simulations to provide an understanding of cell–nanomaterial interactions.

Single and Joint Movement of Supercavitating Strikers in the Supersonic Mode in Water

Peculiarities of the motion of one and two supercavitating strikers in water upon their simultaneous entry into water at speeds exceeding the speed of sound in the medium are considered. Conditions have been developed to ensure nondestructive entry of strikers into the water and stable movement along an aiming trajectory in the transonic speed range. A stable joint motion of two strikers in water at supersonic speed is obtained.

Creation and validation of a semi-quantitative instrument to assess the confidence of pharmacists in medication consultation for patients with depression: The Pharmacists' Confidence scale about Medication Consultation for Depressive patients (PCMCD)

Objectives:To develop a semi-quantitative instrument to assess pharmacists’ confidence in medication counseling for patients with depression, The Pharmacists’ Confidence scale about Medication Consultation for Depressive patients (PCMCD), and investigated its validity.Methods:Following discussions with practicing pharmacists, we developed a 12-item questionnaire to assess pharmacists’ confidence in medication counseling for patients with depression. We launched web-based cross-sectional survey during November and December 2018 to 77 pharmacists employed at drug chain stores in Kansai area. Factor analysis was performed to evaluate the configuration concept validity. The least-squares method was used for factor extraction, and the resulting factors were subjected to direct oblimin rotation, with a factor loading cut-off of 0.4. To assess internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha values were calculated for each of the extracted factors (subscales). A multiple regression analysis was performed using simultaneous forced entry, with the scores obtained for each subscale as dependent variables and responder attributes as independent variables in order to investigate the factors associated with each subscale.Results:During the factor analysis procedure, four questions were excluded by the cut-off rule. Eventually, a model with three subscales was identified, with a cumulative sum of squared loadings being 61.9%. The subscales were termed “relationship building,” “comprehension of condition,” and “information provision” based on the nature of the questions relevant for each of them. The Cronbach’s alpha values for these subscales were 0.92, 0.73, and 0.72, respectively. The average inter-item correlation was 0.378. In addition, multiple regression analysis revealed that there were significant correlations between pharmacist career and both relationship building and information provision.Conclusions:The PCMCD model demonstrated a satisfactory construct validity and internal consistency. This model will provide an excellent tool for assessing pharmacists’ confidence in depression care.

Studying the Mutual Influence of a Set of Strikers during Simultaneous High-Velocity Entry into Water

High-velocity motion of a set of supercavitating kinetic strikers during their simultaneous entry into water has been experimentally studied. A special experimental method of launching supercavitating kinetic strikers and studying their high-velocity motion under hydroballistic test setup conditions has been developed. Experimental data on the motion of two identical supercavitating strikers in the initial stage of trajectory at velocities about 1100 m/s have been obtained, which demonstrate the possibility of stable propagation of a set of such strikers in water until reaching an underwater target.

Collect Earth: An online tool for systematic reference data collection in land cover and use applications

Land cover monitoring efforts are important for resource planning and ecosystem services in many countries. Collect Earth Online (CEO) is a new, free open source and user-friendly software tool for land monitoring. It is the product of a collaborative effort between NASA, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), US Forest Service and Google. This paper provides a full overview of CEO's structure and functionality. Based on the cloud, CEO's structure supports simultaneous data entry by multiple users. No desktop installation is required and only an internet connection is required setting minimal requirements for using the software. Google Earth Engine widgets can be created for assisted plot interpretation such as image collection, time series graphs featuring indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and related statistics. We also provide a case study and related findings from a CEO workshop held in Myanmar.

Exploring the Effects of Clinical Exam Room Design on Communication, Technology Interaction, and Satisfaction.

This article evaluates the effects of technology integration and design features in clinical exam rooms on examination experiences, communication, and satisfaction. Exam room features can affect the delivery of patient-centered care and enhance the level of communication, which has been shown to directly impact clinical outcomes. Although there has been an increasing body of literature examining design and patient-centered care, little research has evaluated the extent to which information sharing and electronic health record (EHR) interaction are impacted. The research randomly allocated 22 patients, 28 caregivers, and 59 clinicians to simulated clinical encounters in four exam room mock-ups with semi-inclusive, exclusive, and inclusive layouts (128 sessions in 32 scenarios). Video recordings of the simulations were coded for clinician gazing, talking, and EHR-interaction behaviors. Participants also completed surveys and answered open-ended questions after experiencing each scenario (N = 362). Semi-inclusive rooms with a triangular arrangement of consultation table, sharable screens, exam table, and caregiver chair were highly preferred as they supported conversation, gazing, and information sharing. The inclusive layout had higher durations of EHR interactions and enhanced viewing and sharing of EHR information. However, this layout was criticized for the lack of clinician-shared information. The exclusive layouts impeded information sharing, eye contact, and constrained simultaneous data entry and eye contact for clinicians. The distance and orientation between chair, exam table, curtain, and door were important for protecting patient and family comfort and privacy. Characteristics and configurations of design qualities and strategies have a key role on examination experiences, communication, and satisfaction.